New Balance is celebrating its love affair with the DMV with the 990V4, a sneaker with an exclusive DMV look. The DMV, which stands for District of Columbia Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, is a suede shoe with a 3M reflective “N” design. The shoe also features a reversible block heel color, a ‘N’ design embroidered on its heel, and the logo of DMV. The shoe launches tomorrow, at 10 am EST.
The DMV-inspired version 990v4 has a grey base and black overlays. It features yellow and red accents in the branding and the mismatched checkerboard hits are reminiscent of the Maryland state flag. This shoe is made in the USA and is a great choice for DC-based runners.
In addition to the DMV-inspired aesthetic, the 990 model pays homage to Washington, D.C., and Virginia through the inclusion of flags and regional maps on the packaging. However, controversy has ensued over the 990 design. It has been criticized by rappers Fat Trel, who hails from the region.
The New Balance 990 series is a popular sneaker in the DMV. Its original $100 price tag helped the sneaker become a regional institution and status symbol for the cash-rich. The 990v4 is a premium sneaker that has been highly sought after from coast to coast. The DMV-inspired silhouette remains a popular shoe all over the globe. The 990v4’s grey suede is accented by an embroidered “ESTDMV.”